While a new condo development in the area is nothing out of the ordinary, the early rumor on the accompanying retail space might make you throw up in your mouth a little…

Tipster Stephanie wrote in to say that during a conversation with the managers of Manhattan Diner (before it closed), “they mentioned that the retail section of the new development will be a CVS from corner to corner.”

Now, it’s unclear if those guys knew what they were talking about, but I can’t imagine a more disheartening rumor than that. I’d be happier if the city announced they were putting a sewage treatment plant on that block.

As DNAinfo mentioned, the initial plans filed with DOB were not approved. While this appears to be a technicality and part of the normal process, it’s clear that it’s going to be a while before construction of anything starts. There probably won’t be any new retail space on that block until at least mid- to late-2012 (my completely unqualified guess), so here’s to hoping Friedland can come up with something a little more original than the Upper West Side’s umpteenth chain pharmacy.

Yeah just what we need – another drug/conv store. I actually do not mind losing these existing buildings (and I’m something of a die hard preservationist). But I will miss the green windows you have in the image above – before I knew they were going to be demolished, I had some dream of a little jazz spot there – c’est la vie -

Paul

Maybe if we’re lucky the new CVS will put a huge video display in their 2nd story window.